Sunday, February 16, 2014

Green beans with garlic

Do you tend to prefer fresh vegetables over frozen ones? I guess most people would say "Yes". However, out of season - which depending on your location could be from October till May, like here in Estonia - fresh vegetables aren't always the best choice. That's a message Jamie Oliver is advocating in his latest TV series, Save with Jamie - out of season fresh vegetables are often way past their best, whereas frozen vegetables are harvested at their best and frozen within hours. They're often fresher than the fresh, so to say. They're definitely cheaper as well, helping you to save the pennies!

So here I am, in the middle of Estonian winter, cooking with frozen-fresh green beans, inspired by Jamie. Jamie served these garlicky green beans alongside his secret steak and chips and creamy mushroom gravy (here's the original recipe), I serve these simply as a vegetarian main course or alongside some grilled meat.

I tend to try and eat fresh produce when it's in season but I always have frozen peas stashed away, fresh peas are SO much more expensive, it's ridiculous. Beans are one of my all time favourite side dishes, I usually serve them with a little bit of butter, pepper and a squeeze of lemon but this sounds like a great alternative.

Lily - welcome to Nami-Nami! I have a lovely kitchen garden where I grow green beans as well - so obviously I prefer fresh when I can harvest some. But just now frozen ones will have to do (most "fresh" beans are flown in from Africa just now - just imagine the food miles they've acquired!!!).

Lucia - I'm from Tallinn, studied in Tartu for 4 years before moving to Scotland for 7 years. I'm now living in Viimsi - a lovely place just outside Tallinn. What are you up in Tartu?